Systems and methods for controlling media recording devices via a media recorder proxy device

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are disclosed that include receiving data at a proxy device specifying a first command to record media content at a first media recording device. In one embodiment, a second command is sent from the proxy device to the first media recording device to record the media content. In response to the second command, the first media recording device records the media content in a first file format. In one embodiment, a third command is sent from the proxy device to a second media recording device to record the media content. In response to the third command, the second media recording device records the media content in a second file format that is different than the first file format. In one embodiment, the second file format is compatible with a portable device.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to controlling mediarecording devices via a media recorder proxy device.

BACKGROUND

Media recording devices, such as a digital video recorder (DVR), provideaccess to and control over media content. Such media recording devicesmay be used to record media content, pause media content, fast forwardmedia content, replay media content, and provide other functions thatenable a user of the media recording device to control the time andmanner in which media content is presented to the user. Serviceproviders often desire to make content available to users havingmultiple devices. Controlling the operation of multiple media recordingdevices can require a great deal of user attention and oversight,thereby causing the management of multiple media recording devices tobecome a labor intensive and time consuming endeavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a systemto control media recording devices via a media recorder proxy device;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment of a systemto control media recording devices via a media recorder proxy device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third particular embodiment of a systemto control media recording devices via a media recorder proxy device;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of a method tocontrol media recording devices via a media recorder proxy device;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment of a methodto control media recording devices via a media recorder proxy device;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a third particular embodiment of a method tocontrol media recording devices via a media recorder proxy device; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a generalcomputer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for controlling media recording devices via a proxycontrol device are disclosed. The media recording devices may beembodied as a set top box (STB), a mobile device, a personal computer,or other device capable of storing media content and presenting themedia content to a user. For example, a particular media recordingdevice may include a mobile device with a media player that is capableof storing media content and displaying the stored media content via themedia player of the mobile device.

The proxy control device may be embodied as a server in a contentdelivery network. The proxy control device may operate to control aplurality of media recording devices. For example, the proxy controldevice may send commands to a plurality of media recording devicesinstructing each media recording device to record media contentidentified in the command. The commands may further specify a particularfile format for storing the media content. For example, the proxycontrol device may send a command to a mobile device instructing themobile device to record media content, such as a television episode, ina particular format supported by the mobile device. Because a singleproxy control device may control multiple media recording devices, auser may record media content at multiple media recording devices with asingle command directed to the proxy control device.

Further, the systems and methods may enable a user to record mediacontent at a plurality of media recording devices using different fileformats. For example, a particular media recording device may recordmedia content in a particular file format that is supported by theparticular media recording device so that media content may be deliveredto a user via the particular media recording device. Because mediacontent can be recorded at a plurality of media recording devices,including portable media recording devices, the systems and methodstherefore may enable a user to access recorded content via a pluralityof media recording devices, including portable media recording devices.

In a first particular embodiment, a media recorder proxy device isdisclosed that includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor,a network interface, and a proxy module. The proxy module is configuredto receive, via the network interface, a first command to record mediacontent at a first media recording device. The proxy module is furtherconfigured to send, via the network interface, a second command to thefirst media recording device to record the media content in a first fileformat. The proxy module is also configured to send, via the networkinterface, a third command to a second media recording device to recordthe media content in a second file format that is different than thefirst file format and is compatible with a portable device. Because thesecond media recording device may be a portable device, the mediacontent recorded at the second media recording device, which is recordedin a format compatible with a portable device, may be accessed at anylocation due to the portable nature of the second media recordingdevice.

In a second particular embodiment, a computer-implemented methodincludes receiving data at a proxy device specifying a first command torecord media content at a first media recording device. The methodfurther includes sending a second command from the proxy device to thefirst media recording device to record the media content. In response tothe second command, the first media recording device records the mediacontent in a first file format. The method also includes sending a thirdcommand from the proxy device to a second media recording device torecord the media content. In response to the third command, the secondmedia recording device records the media content in a second file formatthat is different than the first file format and that is compatible witha portable device.

In a third particular embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium isdisclosed. The computer-readable storage medium includes operationalinstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor toreceive at a proxy device a first command to record media content at afirst media recording device. The computer-readable storage medium alsoincludes operational instructions that, when executed by the processor,cause the processor to send a command to schedule a recording of themedia content in a first file format at the first media recordingdevice. The computer-readable storage medium includes operationalinstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor tosend a command to schedule a recording of the media content at a secondmedia recording device. The media content is recorded in a second fileformat that is different than the first file format.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 is illustrated. The system 100includes communications devices 101, such as a mobile device 102, apersonal computer 104, and a set top box (STB) 106. The system 100further includes a first media recording device 140, a second mediarecording device 142, a content source 128, a network 124, and a mediarecorder proxy device 110. The media recorder proxy device 110 includesa proxy module 116 and a network interface 118. Although the depictedsystem 100 only includes a first media recording device 140 and a secondmedia recording device 142, more than two media recording devices may beincluded in or accessible to the system 100. The depicted system 100includes only two representative media recording devices 140 and 142 forease of explanation, not to limit the scope of the present application.

The first media recording device 140 and the second media recordingdevice 142 are coupled to a data communication network, such as thenetwork 124. The first media recording device 140 and the second mediarecording device 142 may be configured to communicate with the contentsource 128 and the media recorder proxy device 110 via the network 124.The first media recording device 140 and the second media recordingdevice 142 may be configured to record media content 126 received fromthe content source 128 via the network 124. The first media recordingdevice 140 and the second media recording device 142 may record themedia content 126 by storing the media content 126 in memory (not shown)of each media recording device 140 and 142. The media content 126 may berecorded at the first media recording device 140 by storing the mediacontent 126 in a first file format. The media content 126 may berecorded at the second media recording device 142 by storing the mediacontent 126 in a second file format that is different from the firstfile format. The second file format is compatible with a portabledevice, such as the mobile device 102 or the personal computer 104. Forexample, the media recording devices 140 and 142 may be embodied as adigital video recorder (DVR) residing in a STB, a network DVR, a mobiletelephone, a personal computer, a portable media player, or anycombination thereof. The media content 126 may be an audio/video filestored as a Microsoft™ Digital Video Recording (DVR-MS) file, a MovingPicture Experts Group (MPEG) file, an Audio/Video Interleave (AVI) file,a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) file (3GP and 3G2 fileformat), among other file formats supported by media recording devices.

The content source 128 may be a repository for media content. Forexample, the content source 128 may be embodied as a video-on-demandserver, a cable television headend, a file sharing database, a networkelement in a satellite television system, a network element in aninternet protocol television (IPTV) system, or any combination thereof.The content source 128 may be communicatively coupled to the first mediarecording device 140 and to the second media recording device 142 viathe network 124. The content source 128 may therefore be capable oftransmitting media content 126 to the media recording devices 140 and142 via the network 124.

During operation, the media recorder proxy device 110 may receive afirst command 108 via the network interface 118. The first command 108may include an instruction to record media content, such as the mediacontent 126, at the first media recording device 140. The first command108 may include information identifying the media content 126 to berecorded and may include an identification of a device for recording themedia content 126. As an example, the first command 108 may be receivedfrom the mobile device 102, the personal computer 104, the STB 106, orfrom another communication device accessible to a user.

In response to receiving the first command 108, the proxy module 116 maybe configured to send a second command 120 to the first media recordingdevice 140 via the network interface 118. The second command 120 mayinclude an instruction to record the media content 126 at the firstmedia recording device 140 in a first file format. The first file formatmay be determined based on a device profile of the first media recordingdevice 140, based on input received from a user as specified in thefirst command 108, or any combination thereof. The device profile mayinclude information contained in a previous command to record mediacontent at the first media recording device 140. For example, if acommand was issued from one of the communication devices 101 to recordmedia content as an MPEG file at the first media recording device 140,the proxy module may be configured to create a device profile for thefirst media recording device 140 indicating that the MPEG file format isto be used as a default file format for content recorded at the firstmedia recording device 140. As such, all media content subsequentlyrecorded at the first media recording device 140 may be recorded as anMPEG file unless a particular command to record the media content at thefirst media recording device 140 indicates that another file format isto be used.

In further response to receiving the first command 108, the proxy module116 may also be configured to send a third command 122 to the secondmedia recording device 142 via the network interface 118. The thirdcommand 122 may include an instruction to record the media content 126at the second media recording device 142 in a second file format. Thesecond file format may be determined based on a device profile of thesecond media recording device 142, based on input received from a useras specified in the first command 108, or any combination thereof.

The second command 120 and the third command 122 may be sent from themedia recorder proxy device 110 via the network interface 118. Thenetwork interface 118 may be configured for data communications via thenetwork 124. Although the depicted system 100 only includes a singlenetwork 124, the system 100 may include more than one network such as apacket-based data communications network, a cellular network, atelevision system, or any combination thereof. Likewise, the mediarecorder proxy device 110 may include more than one network interfaceconfigured for data communications with each network. Since the mediarecorder proxy device 110 may communicate via a plurality of networks,the media recorder proxy device 110 may communicate with many types ofmedia recording devices. For example, the media recorder proxy device110 may communicate with a DVR via a television system, such as an IPTVsystem, and also may communicate with a mobile device via a packet-baseddata communications network or a wireless network.

In response to receiving the second command 120 from the media recorderproxy device 110, the first media recording device 140 may be configuredto record the media content 126 at the first media recording device 140.Recording the media content 126 may be carried out, for example, bystoring the media content 126 in a memory accessible to the first mediarecording device 140. In one illustrative embodiment, the media content126 may be received from the content source 128 based on a request (notshown) sent from the first media recording device 140. For example, thefirst media recording device 140 may be configured to communicate via apacket-based data communications network and may request the mediacontent 126 by sending a request identifying a particular file fordownloading to a file server that can send files in accordance with theFile Transfer Protocol (FTP). Alternatively, the media content 126 maybe received via a broadcast stream received at the first media recordingdevice 140. For example, the first media recording device 140 may beconfigured to receive data communications via a television system andmay receive the media content 126 via a broadcast signal received fromthe television system.

The media content 126 may be recorded in a first file format that is adefault file format for content recorded at the first media recordingdevice 140 or the media content 126 may be recorded in the first fileformat based on information in the second command 120 that specifies thefirst file format. For example, the second command 120 may includemetadata indicating that the media content 126 should be stored in aparticular file format. Recording the media content 126 in the firstfile format may be carried out, for example, by receiving the mediacontent 126 in the first file format. Alternatively, recording the mediacontent 126 in the second file format may be carried out by convertingthe media content 126 into the first file format from a different fileformat. For example, the first media recording device 140 may have amedia content conversion application installed such that the first mediarecording device 140 is capable of converting media content in a firstfile format to media content in a second file format. For example, themedia recording device 140 may include an application such as HandBrake,FormatFactory, or other proprietary application or logic capable ofconverting media content from a first file format to a second fileformat.

In response to receiving the third command 122 from the media recorderproxy device 110, the second media recording device 142 may beconfigured to record the media content 126 at the second media recordingdevice 142. The media content 126 may be recorded in a second fileformat that is a default file format for content recorded at the secondmedia recording device 142 or the media content 126 may be recorded inthe second file format based on information in the third command 122that specifies the second file format. For example, the third command122 may include metadata indicating that the media content 126 should bestored in a particular file format. Recording the media content 126 inthe second file format may be carried out, for example, by receiving themedia content 126 in the second file format. Alternatively, recordingthe media content 126 in the second file format may also be carried outby converting the media content 126 into the second file format from adifferent file format. For example, the second media recording device142 may have a media content conversion application installed such thatthe second media recording device 142 is capable of converting mediacontent in a first file format to media content in a second file format.

In an example embodiment, the second media recording device 142 may beembodied as a mobile device configured to send and receive datacommunications via a third generation (3G) network. The mobile devicemay include a display. The mobile device may be capable of playingaudio/video files encoded in a particular file format, such as AVI, viaa media player installed at the mobile device. In such an embodiment,the second media recording device 142 may receive a command from themedia recorder proxy device 110 to record media content via the 3Gnetwork. The second media recording device 142 may subsequently send arequest to download a particular AVI file from a content source, such asa file server. In response to the request, the second media recordingdevice 142 may download the particular AVI file from the file server andstore the AVI file in a memory of the mobile device. The AVI file maysubsequently be played at the mobile device using the media player anddisplayed via the display of the mobile device.

The system 100 therefore enables a user to record media content atmultiple media recording devices with a single command (e.g., the firstcommand 108). Further, because the media content is recorded at multiplemedia recording devices in two different file formats, the media contentcan be viewed at multiple devices, including a portable device. As such,a user may watch recorded content at a designated user location, such asa user's home, or at any other location. For example, when the firstmedia recording device is a DVR at a STB of the user and the secondmedia recording device is a mobile device of the user, the user may viewthe recorded content at the user's home via the STB or may view therecorded content at another location via the mobile device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a system 200 is illustrated. The system 200includes a first media recording device 240, a second media recordingdevice 242, a communication device 202, and a media recorder proxydevice 208. The first media recording device 240 and the second mediarecording device 242 may be coupled to a data communication network,such as the network 230. Each media recording device 240 and 242 may beconfigured to communicate with the media recorder proxy device 208 viathe network 230.

The media recorder proxy device 208 may include a memory 222, a proxymodule 210, a processor 216, a conflict resolution module 212, and anetwork interface 214. The media recorder proxy device 208 may furtherbe located at a remote location relative to the first media recordingdevice 240 and the second media recording device 242. The memory 222 mayinclude various user preferences 220 and scheduled recording data 218 toidentify scheduled recordings for each media recording device 240 and242.

During operation, each media recording device 240 and 242 may beconfigured to receive media content from a content source (not shown)via the network 230. The media content may be received from the contentsource for recording at either or both of the media recording devices240 and 242. For example, a command to record media content, such as thecommand 108 of FIG. 1, may result in a plurality of scheduled recordingsat the first media recording device 240 and at the second mediarecording device 242. The scheduled recordings may be based oninformation stored in an electronic program guide (EPG). The EPG mayinclude metadata identifying a particular source for requested content,such as a television channel, an indication of the time that therequested content may be available, a format of the requested content,or any combination thereof.

Information related to the scheduled recordings may be extracted fromthe EPG and stored in the memory 222 of the media recorder proxy device208 as scheduled recording data 218. The media recorder proxy device 208may utilize the scheduled recording data 218 to initiate the recordingof media content at either media recording device 240 and 242. Forexample, the media recorder proxy device 208 may issue a command (e.g.,similar to the second command 120 of FIG. 1) instructing the first mediarecording device 240 to record media content. Likewise, the mediarecorder proxy device 208 may issue a command (e.g., similar to thethird command 122 of FIG. 1) instructing the second media recordingdevice 242 to record media content.

In addition to recording media content, each media recording device 240and 242 may receive media content from the content source (not shown)for display via either of the media recording devices 240 and 242. Themedia content may be displayed via a display that is included as part ofeither media recording device 240 and 242. Alternatively, the mediacontent may be displayed via a separate display device that is coupledto either media recording device 240 and 242. Each media recordingdevice 240 and 242 can communicate information identifying specificmedia content that is being displayed via each media recording device240 and 242 by transmitting content viewing data 224 and 226 to themedia recorder proxy device 208. The content viewing data 224 and 226may including information identifying the source of media content beingdisplayed via a particular media recording device 240 and 242, such as aparticular television channel associated with media content beingdisplayed via a particular media recording device 240 and 242.

Since there may be multiple scheduled recordings at a particular mediarecording device 240 and 242 and since media content may be delivered tothe particular media recording device 240 and 242 for display, theparticular media recording device 240 and 242 may be expected to eitherrecord or display multiple streams of media content at a particulartime. In some instances, the number of streams of media content to berecorded and displayed via the particular media recording device 240 and242 may exceed the number of streams of media content that theparticular media recording device 240 and 242 is capable of receiving orprocessing. In such instances, the media recorder proxy device 208 maybe configured to detect and resolve conflicts via the conflictresolution module 212.

The conflict resolution module 212 may be configured to determinewhether a first scheduling conflict exists between a scheduled recordingof media content at the first media recording device 240 and a viewingof other media content at the first media recording device 240. Theconflict resolution module 212 may be further configured to determinewhether a second scheduling conflict exists between a scheduledrecording of media content at the second media recording device 242 anda viewing of other media content at the first media recording device242. For example, the first media recording device 240 may be capable ofreceiving two media streams simultaneously. The conflict resolutionmodule 212 may utilize the scheduled recording data 218 to determinethat two media streams, such as two television programs, are scheduledfor recording at the first media recording device 240 at a particulartime. In addition, the conflict resolution module 212 may receivecontent viewing data 224 from the first media recording device 240indicating that a third media stream is being received for display viathe first media recording device 240. In such an example, because thefirst media recording device 240 is scheduled to receive more mediastreams (3 media streams) than the first media recording device 240 iscapable of receiving (2 media streams), the conflict resolution module212 may take action to remedy the scheduling conflict.

In a particular embodiment, the conflict resolution module 212 may beconfigured to send a conflict notification 204 to the communicationdevice 202 via the network interface 214. The conflict notification 204may include information descriptive of the scheduling conflict. Forexample, the conflict notification 204 may indicate at what time theconflict will occur, which media streams are in conflict, which mediarecording device is experiencing the conflict, or any combinationthereof.

In another particular embodiment, the conflict notification 204 furtherincludes one or more user selectable actions for resolving thescheduling conflict. In such an embodiment, the conflict resolutionmodule 212 may be configured to generate an instruction 228 forresolving the scheduling conflict based on a user selection 206. Forexample, the conflict notification 204 may present an option to a userenabling the user to resolve a scheduling conflict by selecting one ormore scheduled recordings to be cancelled. The user may subsequentlymake a user selection 206 specifying a particular scheduled recording tocancel. Upon receipt of the user selection 206, the conflict resolutionmodule 212 may generate an instruction 228 for resolving the conflictand may send the instruction 228 to each media recording device 240 and242 via the network interface 214. For example, the instruction 228 mayinclude an instruction to cease recording specified media content at aparticular media recording device 240 and 242.

In another particular embodiment, the confliction resolution module 212may be configured to generate an instruction 228 for resolving ascheduling conflict based on one or more user preferences 220. Forexample, the user preferences 220 may include a priority for eachscheduled recording at a particular media recording device 240 and 242.The conflict resolution module 212 may therefore be configured to issuean instruction 228 to cancel a scheduled recording with the lowestpriority.

The system 200 may therefore enable scheduling conflicts to be resolvedwith or without user interaction. Users may be able to decide how tohandle scheduling conflicts on a case-by-case basis. Further, users maybe able to have scheduling conflicts resolved in a predetermined mannerwhen the user is unwilling or unable to respond to a conflictnotification.

Referring to FIG. 3, a system 300 is illustrated. The system 300includes communication devices 301, such as a mobile device 302, apersonal computer 304, a STB 306, and a remote control device 307. Thesystem 300 further includes a first media recording device 340, a secondmedia recording device 342, a content source 334, a network 332, and amedia recorder proxy device 310. The media recorder proxy device 310includes a network interface 309, a proxy module 312, a memory 320, andan offline queue 318. The offline queue 318 may include one or morerequests 314 to 316 to record media content.

During operation, the media recorder proxy device 310 may receive afirst command 308 via the network interface 309. The first command 308may include an instruction to record media content, such as the mediacontent 336, at the first media recording device 340, at the secondmedia recording device 342, or at another device. For example, the firstcommand 308 may be received from the mobile device 302, the personalcomputer 304, the STB 306, or the remote control device 307.

In a particular embodiment, the first command 308 may be received fromthe remote control device 307 via an infrared receiver located at thesecond media recording device 342. The infrared receiver at the secondmedia recorder device 342 may receive a series of light pulses from alight-emitting diode (LED) of the remote control device. The infraredreceiver may subsequently identify a digital signal, such as a bitpattern, represented by the series of light pulses. The second mediarecording device 342 may send the bit pattern to the media recorderproxy device 310 via the network 332. Upon receipt of the bit pattern,the media recorder proxy device 310 may use the bit pattern to identifya function that can be performed at one of the media recording devices340 and 342. For example, the media recorder proxy device 310 mayinclude data stored in the memory 322 of the media recorder proxy device310 that maps functions that may be performed by the media devicerecording devices 340 and 342 to codes transmittable by the remotecontrol device 307. The first command 308 may therefore be transmittedby the remote control device 307 when a series of light pulses emittedfrom the remote control device indicates that the remote control deviceis issuing a request to record media content at the first mediarecording device 340.

In response to receiving the first command 308, the proxy module 312 maybe configured to send a second command 326 to the first media recordingdevice 340 via the network interface 309. The second command 326 mayinclude an instruction to record the media content 336 at the firstmedia recording device 340 in a first file format. In further responseto receiving the first command 308, the proxy module 312 may also beconfigured to send a third command 328 to the second media recordingdevice 342. The third command 328 may include an instruction to recordthe media content 336 at the second media recording device 342 in asecond file format.

In response to receiving the second command 326 from the media recorderproxy device 310, the first media recording device 340 may be configuredto schedule a recording of the media content 336 at the first mediarecording device 340. The first media recording device 340 may beconfigured to record the media content 336 in a first file format. Inresponse to receiving the third command 328 from the media recorderproxy device 310, the second media recording device 342 may attempt torecord the media content 336 in a second file format. The second fileformat may be compatible with a portable device, such as the mobiledevice 302. The second file format may be determined based on anattribute of the second media recording device 342, such as the fileformats that the second media recording device 342 is capable ofprocessing, or based on information contained in a user profile 324stored in the memory 320 of the media recorder proxy device 310.

In a particular embodiment, the proxy module 312 is configured todetermine whether the second media recording device 342 is able toaccess the media content 336 at a particular time. If the second mediarecording device 342 is unable to access the media content 336, theproxy module 312 may add the requests 314 and 316 to the offline queue318. The requests 314 and 316 may represent instructions to record themedia content 336 at a later time. The proxy module 312 may beconfigured to process one or more of the requests 314 and 316 in theoffline queue 318 during an offline queue processing time period 322.The offline queue processing time period 322 may be specified by a useror otherwise determined by the media recorder proxy device 310. Forexample, any time that the second media recording device 342 is notaccessing media content, the media recorder proxy device 310 may processrequests 314 and 316 in the offline queue 318. In a particularembodiment, the proxy module 312 may process the requests 314 and 316 bysending, via the network interface 309, a fourth command 330 to thefirst media recording device 340 instructing the first media recordingdevice 340 to send media content 338 recorded at the first mediarecording device 340 to the second media recording device 342. Therecorded media content 338 may include the media content 336 that couldnot be accessed by the second media recording device 342. The recordedmedia content 338 may be communicated from the first media recordingdevice 340 to the second media recording device 342 via the network 332.The recorded media content 338 may be recorded and stored at the secondmedia recording device 324.

In a particular embodiment, the media recorder proxy device 310 may alsoissue a first deletion command to the first media recording device 340to delete media content stored at the first media recording device 340.Likewise, the media recorder proxy device 310 may also issue a seconddeletion command to the second media recording device 342 to deletemedia content stored at the second media recording device 342. The firstdeletion command and the second deletion command may be issued such thatmedia content stored at the first media recording device 340 and mediacontent stored at the second media recording device 342 are deletedsimultaneously or near simultaneously.

For example, the media recorder proxy device 310 may impose a limit onthe amount of media content items that may be recorded at the firstmedia recording device 340 and recorded at the second media recordingdevice 342. When the first media recording device 340 and the secondmedia recording device 342 have reached their limit, the media recorderproxy device 310 may issue a first deletion command to the first mediarecording device 340 and a second deletion command to the second mediarecording device 342 in response to receiving a first command 308 at themedia recorder proxy device 310. By issuing the deletion commands beforeissuing the second command 326 and the third command 328, the mediarecorder proxy device 310 may send commands such that a media contentitem is deleted from each of the media recording devices 340 and 342before another media content item is recorded at each of the mediarecording devices 340 and 342 so that neither of the media recordingdevices 340 and 342 stores media content items in excess of their limit.

In a particular embodiment, the second media recording device 342 may beembodied as a single device configured to operate as a DVR and as amedia server. The media recording device may record the media content336 and distribute the media content 336 to one or more portabledevices. For example, the second media recording device 342 may be ableto record the media content 336 by storing the media content 336 in amemory at the second media recording device 342. The second mediarecording device 342 may also be able to communicate with one or moreportable devices that are configured for communications over a datacommunications network. For example, the second media recording device342 may include a wireless network interface to wirelessly transmitrecorded content over a wireless network, such as the network 332, toportable devices that are also capable of wireless communications.

For example, the second media recording device 342 may wirelesslytransmit recorded content to portable devices by streaming the recordedcontent to one or more of the portable devices, such as the mobiledevice 302. The recorded content may be streamed to one or more of theportable devices by transmitting the recorded content in accordance withstreaming protocols such as the Real-time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), theReal-time Transport Protocol (RTP), or the Real-time Transport ControlProtocol (RTCP). Alternatively, the second media recording device 342may wirelessly transmit recorded content to portable devices byoperating a file server such that recorded content may be downloaded bythe one or more portable devices. For example, the mobile device 302 maybe enabled to download recorded content after sending a request for thecontent to the second media recording device 342.

In another particular embodiment, digital rights management (DRM)content may be added to the media content 336 that is recorded at thesecond media recording device 342. The DRM content may be used to limitusage of media content recorded at the second media recording device342. For example, the DRM content may be used to restrict access to themedia content 336 or to prevent unauthorized copying of the mediacontent 336 recorded at the second media recording device 342.

The system 300 may therefore enable a media recording device to accessmedia content by receiving the media content from the content source andby receiving the media content from another media recording device. Aparticular media recording device may therefore have redundant sourcesfor media content.

Referring to FIG. 4, a computer-implemented method 400 is disclosed. Themethod 400 includes receiving data at a proxy device specifying a firstcommand to record media content at a first media recording device, at402. For example, in FIG. 1, the media recorder proxy device 110receives the first command 108 to record the media content 126 at thefirst media recording device 140.

The method 400 further includes sending a second command from the proxydevice to the first media recording device to record the media content,at 404. In response to the second command, the first media recordingdevice may record the media content in a first file format. For example,in FIG. 1, the media recorder proxy device 110 may send the secondcommand 120 from the media recorder proxy device 110 to the first mediarecording device 140 to record the media content 126. The first mediarecording device 140 may record the media content 126 in a first fileformat in response to the second command 120.

The method 400 further includes sending a third command from the proxydevice to a second media recording device to record the media content,at 406. In response to the third command, the second media recordingdevice may record the media content in a second file format that isdifferent than the first file format. The second file format may becompatible with a portable device. For example, in FIG. 1, the mediarecorder proxy device 110 may send the third command 122 to the secondmedia recording device 142. In response to the third command 122, thesecond media recording device 142 may record the media content 126 in asecond file format that is different than the first file format. Thesecond file format may be compatible with a portable device, such as themobile device 102. The method terminates at 408.

The method 400 enables a user to record media content at multiple mediarecording devices with a single command (e.g., the first command).Further, because the media content is recorded at multiple mediarecording devices in different file formats, the media content can beviewed at multiple devices, including a portable device. As such, a usermay watch recorded content at a designated user location, such as auser's home, or at any other location. For example, when the first mediarecording device is a DVR at a STB of the user, and the second mediarecording device is a mobile device of the user, the user may view therecorded content at the user's home via the STB or the user may view therecorded content at another location via the mobile device.

Referring to FIG. 5, a computer-implemented method 500 is disclosed. Themethod 500 includes receiving a first command at a proxy device torecord media content at a first media recording device, at 502. Theproxy device may receive the first command via a data communicationnetwork. The command may be received from a computing device associatedwith the first media recording device. For example, in FIG. 3, the mediarecorder proxy device 310 may receive the first command 308 from one ofthe communication devices 301 that may be associated with the firstmedia recording device 340. For example, a manufacturer of the firstmedia recording device 340 may provide a remote control device forcontrolling the first media recording device 340. The remote controldevice is therefore associated with the media recording device 340 sincethe remote control device is preprogrammed to control operations of thefirst media recording device 340. Alternatively, a particularcommunication device, such as the mobile device 302, may be associatedwith the first media recording device 340 because a user of the mobiledevice 302 is also a user of the first media recording device 340. Theuser may therefore cause the first media recording device 340 to performsome function by sending a command from the mobile device 302 to themedia recorder proxy device 310.

The method 500 further includes sending a second command from the proxydevice to the first media recording device, at 504. In response to thesecond command, the first media recording device may record the mediacontent in a first file format. For example, in FIG. 3, the mediarecorder proxy device 310 may send the second command 326 from the mediarecorder proxy device 310 to the first media recording device 340 torecord the media content 336. The first media recording device 340 mayrecord the media content 336 in a first file format in response to thesecond command 326.

The method 500 also includes sending a third command from the proxydevice to a second media recording device to record the media content,at 506. In response to the third command, the second media recordingdevice may record the media content in a second file format that may bedifferent than the first file format. The second file format maycompatible with a portable device. For example, in FIG. 3, the thirdcommand 328 may be sent from the media recorder proxy device 310 to thesecond media recording device 342. In response to the third command 328,the second media recording device 342 may record the media content 336is a second file format that is different than the first file format andcompatible with a portable device such as the mobile device 302.

The method 500 also includes sending a fourth command to the first mediarecording device, at 508. In response to the fourth command, the firstmedia recording device may send the media content to the second mediarecording device while concurrently recording the media content at thefirst media recording device. For example, in FIG. 3, the fourth command330 may be sent to the first media recording device 340. In response tothe fourth command 330, the first media recording device 340 may sendmedia content, such as the recorded media content 338, to the secondmedia recording device 342. The first media recording device 340 maysend the recorded media content 338 to the second media recording device342 while concurrently recording media content, such as while recordingthe media content 336.

The method 500 further includes deleting recorded media content from thefirst media recording device and deleting recorded media content fromthe second media recording device concurrently, at 510. For example, inFIG. 3, the first media recording device 340 and the second mediarecording device 342 may concurrently delete media content, such as therecorded media content 338. The method terminates at 510.

Referring to FIG. 6, a method 600 to control media recording devices viaa media recorder proxy device is disclosed. The method 600 includesreceiving data at a proxy device specifying a first command to recordmedia content at a first media recording device, at 602. The dataspecifying the first command may be received from a remote controldevice associated with the first media recording device. For example, inFIG. 3, the media recorder proxy device 310 may receive data specifyinga first command, such as the first command 308, to record the mediacontent 336 at the first media recording device 340. The first command308 may be received from the remote control device 307 associated withthe first media recording device 340. For example, the first command maybe received from the remote control device 307 via an infrared receiverlocated at the first media recording device 340 and thereaftertransferred from the first media recording device 340 to the mediarecorder proxy device 310 via the network 332. In another embodiment,the remote control device 307 may be configured to communicate directlywith the media recorder proxy device 310. For example, the remotecontrol device 307 may include a wireless network interface and maytherefore be capable of communicating packet-based data representing thefirst command 308 to the media recorder proxy device 310 via a datacommunications network such as the network 322.

The method 600 further includes sending a second command from the proxydevice to the first media recording device to record the media content,at 604. In response to the second command, the first media recordingdevice may record the media content in a first file format. For example,in FIG. 3, the media recorder proxy device 310 may send the secondcommand 326 to the first media recording device 340. In response to thesecond command 326, the first media recording device 340 may record themedia content 336 in a first file format.

The method 600 also includes sending a third command from the proxydevice to a second media recording device to record the media content,at 606. In response to the third command, the second media recordingdevice may record the media content in a second file format that isdifferent than the first file format. The second file format may becompatible with a portable device. For example, in FIG. 3, the mediarecorder proxy device 310 may send the third command 328 to the secondmedia recording device 342. In response to the third command 328, thesecond media recording device 342 may record the media content 336 in asecond file format that is different from the first file format and thesecond file format may be compatible with a portable device, such as themobile device 302.

The method 600 further includes adding digital rights management (DRM)content to media content recorded at the second media recording device,at 608. The DRM content may be used to limit the usage of media contentrecorded at the second media recording device. For example, in FIG. 3,the media content 336 may be recorded at the second media recordingdevice 338 and DRM content may be added to the media content 336 torestrict usage of the media content 336.

The method 600 also includes streaming media content recorded at thesecond media recording device to a portable media player via a datacommunication network, at 610. For example, in FIG. 3, media contentrecorded at the second media recording device 342 may be streamed to amobile device that includes a media player, such as the mobile device302, via the network 322.

The method 600 further includes downloading media content recorded atthe second media recording device by a portable media player via a datacommunication network, at 612. For example, in FIG. 3, a mobile devicethat includes a media player, such as the mobile device 302, maydownload content stored at the second media recording device 342 via thenetwork 342. The method 600 terminates at 614.

Referring to FIG. 7, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 700. The computer system 700 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 700 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 700 may operate as astandalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to othercomputer systems or peripheral devices. In an illustrative embodiment,the computer system 700 may include the media recorder proxy device 110of FIG. 1. The media recorder proxy device 110 of FIG. 1 may include orbe implemented using the computer system 700 or a portion therein. Inother illustrative embodiments, the computer system may include themedia recorder proxy devices 208 and 310 of FIGS. 2-3. Each of the mediarecorder proxy devices 208 and 310 of FIGS. 2-3 may include or beimplemented using the computer system 700 or a portion thereof.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 700 may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 700 may alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wirelesstelephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a web appliance, orany other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequentialor otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In aparticular embodiment, the computer system 700 may be implemented usingelectronic devices that provide video, audio, or data communication.Further, while a single computer system 700 is illustrated, the term“system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems orsub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiplesets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the computer system 700 may include aprocessor 702, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system 700 mayinclude a main memory 704 and a static memory 706, which can communicatewith each other via a bus 708. As shown, the computer system 700 mayfurther include a video display unit 710, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a projection television system, a flat panel display, ora solid state display. Additionally, the computer system 700 may includean input device 712, such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device714, such as a mouse. The computer system 700 may also include a diskdrive unit 716, a signal generation device 718, such as a speaker orremote control, and one or more network interface devices 720 capable ofcommunicating with a network 726. Not all of the components of thecomputer system 700 of FIG. 7 may be included. For example, somecomputer systems 700 may not include an input device (e.g., a server maynot include an input device).

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 7, the disk drive unit716 may include a computer-readable storage medium 722 in which one ormore sets of instructions 724, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further,the instructions 724 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 724 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 724,the static memory 706, and/or within the processor 702 during executionby the computer system 700. The main memory 704 and the processor 702also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, may be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments may broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations may include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing may be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable storage mediumthat stores instructions 724. While the computer-readable storage mediumis shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium”includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized ordistributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that storeone or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium”shall also include any medium that is capable of storing or encoding aset of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause acomputer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operationsdisclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable storage medium may include a solid-state memory suchas a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable storage medium may bea random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.Additionally, the computer-readable storage medium may include amagneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or otherstorage device. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or otherself-contained information archive or set of archives may be consideredequivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure isconsidered to include any one or more of a computer-readable storagemedium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data orinstructions may be stored.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, variousfeatures may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into theDetailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as definingseparately claimed subject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowedby law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by thebroadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processor; and a memorycoupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructionsexecutable by the processor to perform operations comprising: receivinga message from a communication device requesting a recording of mediacontent; in response to the message, sending, via a network, a firstcommand to a first media recording device to record the media content ina first file format; in response to the message, sending, via thenetwork, a second command to a second media recording device to recordthe media content in a second file format that is different than thefirst file format, wherein the second file format is compatible with aportable device, and wherein the second media recording device isdifferent from the first media recording device; and sending a thirdcommand to the first media recording device, the third commandinstructing the first media recording device to send the media contentto the second media recording device while the media content is beingrecorded at the first media recording device.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise: determining whether a firstscheduling conflict exists with respect to a first scheduled recordingat the first media recording device; and determining whether a secondscheduling conflict exists with respect to a second scheduled recordingat the second media recording device.
 3. The device of claim 2, whereinthe operations further comprise sending a conflict notification to thecommunication device in response to detecting the first schedulingconflict or the second scheduling conflict.
 4. The device of claim 3,wherein the conflict notification identifies a user selectable action toresolve the scheduling conflict and wherein the operations furthercomprise: generating an instruction to resolve the scheduling conflictbased on a user selection; and sending the instruction to the firstmedia recording device and to the second media recording device.
 5. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise: generatingan instruction to resolve the scheduling conflict based on a userpreference; and sending the instruction to the first media recordingdevice and to the second media recording device.
 6. The device of claim1, wherein the operations further comprise: determining whether thesecond media recording device is able to access the media content at aparticular time; and responsive to the second media recording devicebeing unable to access the media content at the particular time, addinga request to record the media content to an offline queue.
 7. The deviceof claim 6, wherein the operations further comprise processing therequest in the offline queue during an offline queue processing timeperiod.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the operations furthercomprise: identifying a default file format associated with the firstmedia recording device; and determining whether the message indicatesthat a third file format different than the default file format is to beused, wherein the first file format is the third file format when thethird file format is indicated, and wherein the first file format is thedefault file format when the third file format is not indicated.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the second file format is selected based on adevice profile of the second media recording device.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the second file format is selected based on user input.11. The device of claim 1, wherein the message indicates the second fileformat.
 12. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving, from acommunication device, data at a processor of a proxy device, the dataindicating a request to record media content; in response to the data,sending, via a network, a first command from the proxy device to a firstmedia recording device to record the media content in a first fileformat; in response to the data, sending, via the network, a secondcommand from the proxy device to a second media recording device torecord the media content in a second file format that is different thanthe first file format, wherein the second file format is compatible witha portable device, wherein the second media recording device isdifferent from the first media recording device, and wherein the secondfile format is selected based on user input or the data indicates thesecond file format; and sending a third command to the first mediarecording device, the third command instructing the first mediarecording device to send the media content to the second media recordingdevice while the media content is being recorded at the first mediarecording device.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12,wherein the proxy device receives the data via the network, and whereinthe communication device includes the first media recording device. 14.The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the communicationdevice includes a computing device associated with the first mediarecording device.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 12,further comprising: determining whether the second media recordingdevice is able to access the media content at a particular time; andresponsive to the second media recording device being unable to accessthe media content at the particular time, adding a request to record themedia content to an offline queue.
 16. The computer-implemented methodof claim 12, further comprising sending delete commands to deleterecorded media content from the first media recording device and fromthe second media recording device.
 17. The computer-implemented methodof claim 12, wherein the first media recording device and the secondmedia recording device are at a user location and wherein the proxydevice is at a location remote from the user location.
 18. Acomputer-readable storage device comprising instructions that, whenexecuted by a processor, cause the processor to perform operationsincluding: receiving a message from a communication device requesting arecording of media content; and in response to the message, sending, toa first media recording device via a network, a first command toschedule recording of the media content in a first file format at thefirst media recording device; in response to the message, sending, to asecond media recording device via the network, a second command toschedule recording of the media content in a second file format at thesecond media recording device, wherein the second file format isdifferent than the first file format, and wherein the second mediarecording device is different from the first media recording device; andsending a third command to the first media recording device, the thirdcommand instructing the first media recording device to send the mediacontent to the second media recording device while the media content isbeing recorded at the first media recording device.
 19. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 18, wherein the media contentis scheduled for recording at the first media recording device based oninformation in an electronic program guide, and wherein the mediacontent is scheduled for recording at the second media recording devicebased on the information in the electronic program guide.
 20. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 18, wherein the operationsfurther include: identifying a default file format associated with thefirst media recording device; and determining whether the messageindicates that a third file format different than the default fileformat is to be used, wherein the first file format is the third fileformat when the third file format is indicated, and wherein the firstfile format is the default file format when the third file format is notindicated.